
The games on this list meet the following two criteria:
- the game is not focused on combat and killing, but exploring and/or puzzle solving and/or life simulation (e.g. The Sims); and
- the game features an open world in which you can freely explore.
The key similarity between social VR/virtual worlds and non-combat, open-world games is that they allow you to navigate and explore freely, and interact with your environment. The key difference between social VR/virtual worlds and these sort of games is that the latter
Unlike my list of social VR/virtual worlds, this is not an attempt at a comprehensive listing. I only add items to this list as they attract my attention. The main focus of this blog will remian social VR, virtual worlds, and the metaverse: experiences which you share with others.
Games marked with an asterisk (*) support users in VR headsets.
- the Myst series of games by Cyan: Myst, Riven, Myst III: Exile, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, Myst IV: Revelation, and Myst V: End of Ages. At 25 years old, Myst is the granddaddy of first-person exploration/puzzle games, although it cannot really be considered an open world game. (I have put Myst Online: Uru Live on my list of social VR platforms and virtual worlds, although it is more of an MMO/MMORPG game.)
- Obduction* (also by Cyan, and highly recommended!)
- The Sims 4 (a phenomenally popular life simulation game)
- Eastshade (a new first-person, open-world game by Eastshade Studios)
- Discovery Tour by Assassin’s Creed: Ancient Egypt (an educational, non-combat version of Assassin’s Creed: Origins by Ubisoft)
- NEW! Fortnite Party Royale, an open-ended, non-combat extension to the phenomenally popular online game, with over 250 million users
